Take a look at a selection of our great quality 4 star hotels in the Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol Holidays – Cosmopolitan and traditional Spain

Costa del Sol is famous for its stunning beaches but this region of Andalucia holds something for everyone. Torremolinos and Marbella will appeal if you are looking to enjoy days on the beach and nights in the restaurants and clubs, while families may prefer the more relaxed atmosphere at resorts such as Nerja and Mijas. Immerse yourself in old world Spain with visits to Malaga to enjoy the tapas bars, flamenco dancing and the Picasso Museum. Excursions including trips to Morocco in North Africa and cities such as Seville are why the Costa del Sol is a one of Spain’s most exciting holiday destinations.

When to go

If you enjoy hot days by the beach then the summer months between June and September will be the best time to visit and the beaches will be busy. The spring and autumn months are still warm with very little rain; temperatures can reach 25C during April. The early spring and late autumn months bring warm rather than hot weather, a more relaxed resort atmosphere, and excellent holiday offers. The Costa del Sol is a winter sunshine holiday option, and excluding the Christmas period the resorts will be quieter and discounted flights and accommodation are available.

The weather in Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol is aptly named given that the sun coast has the best climate in Spain, if not Europe. With over 320 sunny days per year and very little rainfall you are almost guaranteed sunshine no matter which season you choose to visit. The summer months are hot and dry with daytime temperatures of over 30C during July and August; evening temperatures are a minimum 21C during the summer. The spring and autumn months are also warm at an average 22C and winter sunshine holidays are an option with a 17C temperature during December.

Getting the best deal

Many people are now choosing to visit the Costa del Sol during the low seasons to take advantage of the reduced prices. Avoiding the busy summer months will bring good discounts on flights and accommodation, and the stable climate means plenty of in warm weather. One way to obtain excellent discounts is to avoid the school holiday periods such as Easter, October, Christmas and the peak summer months. Inexpensive package holidays in Costa del Sol can be found year round if you book in advance.

Find the best holiday prices available by checking our best deals below or browsing our late deals offers.

Airport and transport need to know

There are direct flights from the UK to Costa del Sol year round from most city airports with a flight time of approximately three hours. Malaga Airport (AGP) is an international airport that includes a variety of bars, restaurants and cafeterias as well as duty free shopping, car hire and airport hotels. A taxi rank is located at Terminal 3 and fare quotes should be obtained as Malaga taxis are not metered.

There is a train station at the airport as well as the airport shuttle bus service to Marbella with a transfer time of 45 minutes. Independently booking a private shuttle can save time and expense; fares for a private transfer are 17 euros (£13) per person to Marbella. Car hire is another economical option and can be booked independently online 24 hours prior to arriving. Road conditions vary but the main roads are in excellent condition with driving on the right.

Top resorts in Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol is famed for its beautiful beaches, and with over 150km of coastline there is no shortage of space on the soft golden sands. The diversity of the beaches is why this region of Andalusia is so popular; you can choose between quieter family friendly beaches or the livelier resort beaches. Costa del Sol beaches are clean and safe and many have been awarded the coveted European Blue Flag.

Torremolinos is without doubt one of the liveliest resorts much loved by families, couples and groups, especially during the buzzing summer months. Large beaches such as Playamar and Los Alamos are hugely popular during the summer but with six beaches to choose from there should be no problem finding a stretch of sand. Watersports are an option here including water skiing, scuba diving and jet skiing. The aqua park will keep the children entertained and golf is also popular here.

Marbella is known as a glitzy resort favoured by the rich and famous but available to everyone. With 26km of golden sand along the Marbella coastline this is the place to relax on sun loungers and enjoy the scenery at beaches such as Puerto Banus and Buddha Beach. The warm crystal clear waters are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving or why not charter a private boat from the marina and enjoy a few hours of dolphin spotting.

If you are looking for one of the best beaches to escape the crowds then consider El Canuelo; a long string of hidden coves located near the town of Nerja. El Canuelo is sheltered by cliffs and has managed to avoid commercialisation. The soft sands lapped by the warm waters are the perfect place to simply relax before dipping into the sea waters to swim or snorkel.